title: Theory of mind and epilepsy: what clinical implications?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Epilepsy can impair theory of mind (ToM), but the clinical significance of such a deficit is unknown. This study evaluated the influence of selective ToM deficits on self-appraisal, coping, and quality of life (QoL) in patients with focal epilepsy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected from 66 patients with temporal or frontal lobe epilepsy, and from 42 healthy controls. The Faux Pas Task (FPT), Multiple Ability Self-report Questionnaire (MASQ), Coping Responses Inventory-Adult (CRI-Adult), and World Health Organization QoL 100 (WHOQoL 100) evaluated ToM, self-rated cognitive abilities, coping to stressful events, and QoL. Different tests and inventories assessed other cognitive functions, depression, and anxiety.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients were impaired in the recognition and comprehension of social faux pas. The FPT scores contributed to predict the MASQ, CRI-Adult, and WHOQoL overall scores; the comprehension of others' mental states and interactions score exerted a prominent influence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients with focal epilepsy, selective ToM deficits may have clinical implications, with specific influence on self-appraisal, coping, and overall QoL. ToM evaluation may contribute in explaining some psychobehavioral difficulties and to plan nonpharmacological treatment.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Cognitive Neurology and Rehabilitation, Unit of Neurology and Neuropathology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico C. Besta, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna Rita
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Giovagnoli
authors.forename: Annalisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Parente
authors.forename: Flavio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Villani
authors.forename: Silvana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Franceschetti
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Spreafico
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D032882:Comprehension / Q000502:physiology; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011788:Quality of Life; D012919:Social Behavior; D012938:Social Perception; D056345:Theory of Mind / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Cognitive self-evaluation; Coping; Epilepsy; Psychobehavioral disturbances; Quality of life; Theory of mind